HLT3701 – ASSESSMENT 2
DEVELOPMENT OF LANGUAGE SKILLS
QUESTION 1:
1.1 Hill (2008) identifies different levels of language development in young learners.
Language Development at the Early-Reading Level:
1.1.1 Discuss the language development of learners who are at the Early-reading level
and explain how the knowledge of these stages will enable teachers to assist
learners in developing language in class.
At the Early-Reading level, learners have developed several foundational language and
literacy skills. They can:
Match Letters to Sounds
Children can associate each letter with its corresponding sound, which is essential for
decoding words.
Sound Out Words
They can phonetically decode three and four-letter words, using their understanding of
letter-sound relationships.
Recognize High-Frequency Words
Many learners at this stage can recognize a significant number of high-frequency words
by sight, enhancing their reading fluency.
Read Simple Texts
Children read simple books, often word by word, and rely on illustrations to support their
comprehension.
Basic Writing Skills
They can write all the letters of the alphabet clearly and spell simple phonetic words such
as "rat" or "pit."
Word Families
They can identify and work with word families, recognizing patterns such as "tap," "map,"
and "cap."
How Knowledge of These Stages Enables Teachers to Assist Learners:
Understanding the characteristics of learners at the Early-Reading level helps teachers
tailor their instruction to support continued language development effectively. Here are
some ways this knowledge can guide teaching practices:
, Phonics Instruction:
Teachers can provide targeted phonics lessons to strengthen learners' letter-sound
associations and decoding skills.
Activities like phonics games, flashcards, and interactive whiteboard exercises can make
learning phonics engaging and effective.
High-Frequency Words:
Teachers can use sight word games, flashcards, and repeated reading of simple texts to
help learners recognize and remember high-frequency words.
Creating a word wall in the classroom with these words can provide a constant visual
reference for learners.
Guided Reading:
Small group guided reading sessions can help learners practice reading simple texts
aloud, with the teacher providing support and feedback.
Using books that match the learners' reading level ensures that they are challenged but
not frustrated.
Interactive Read-Alouds:
Teachers can read aloud to the class, modeling fluent reading and discussing the story to
enhance comprehension.
Asking questions before, during, and after reading helps students engage with the text
and develop critical thinking skills.
Writing Practice:
Encouraging learners to write daily helps them practice letter formation, spelling, and
sentence construction.
Providing writing prompts related to their reading can help them make connections
between reading and writing.
Visual Supports:
Using pictures and visual aids can help learners understand and remember new words
and concepts.
Picture books and illustrated stories are particularly effective at this stage.
DEVELOPMENT OF LANGUAGE SKILLS
QUESTION 1:
1.1 Hill (2008) identifies different levels of language development in young learners.
Language Development at the Early-Reading Level:
1.1.1 Discuss the language development of learners who are at the Early-reading level
and explain how the knowledge of these stages will enable teachers to assist
learners in developing language in class.
At the Early-Reading level, learners have developed several foundational language and
literacy skills. They can:
Match Letters to Sounds
Children can associate each letter with its corresponding sound, which is essential for
decoding words.
Sound Out Words
They can phonetically decode three and four-letter words, using their understanding of
letter-sound relationships.
Recognize High-Frequency Words
Many learners at this stage can recognize a significant number of high-frequency words
by sight, enhancing their reading fluency.
Read Simple Texts
Children read simple books, often word by word, and rely on illustrations to support their
comprehension.
Basic Writing Skills
They can write all the letters of the alphabet clearly and spell simple phonetic words such
as "rat" or "pit."
Word Families
They can identify and work with word families, recognizing patterns such as "tap," "map,"
and "cap."
How Knowledge of These Stages Enables Teachers to Assist Learners:
Understanding the characteristics of learners at the Early-Reading level helps teachers
tailor their instruction to support continued language development effectively. Here are
some ways this knowledge can guide teaching practices:
, Phonics Instruction:
Teachers can provide targeted phonics lessons to strengthen learners' letter-sound
associations and decoding skills.
Activities like phonics games, flashcards, and interactive whiteboard exercises can make
learning phonics engaging and effective.
High-Frequency Words:
Teachers can use sight word games, flashcards, and repeated reading of simple texts to
help learners recognize and remember high-frequency words.
Creating a word wall in the classroom with these words can provide a constant visual
reference for learners.
Guided Reading:
Small group guided reading sessions can help learners practice reading simple texts
aloud, with the teacher providing support and feedback.
Using books that match the learners' reading level ensures that they are challenged but
not frustrated.
Interactive Read-Alouds:
Teachers can read aloud to the class, modeling fluent reading and discussing the story to
enhance comprehension.
Asking questions before, during, and after reading helps students engage with the text
and develop critical thinking skills.
Writing Practice:
Encouraging learners to write daily helps them practice letter formation, spelling, and
sentence construction.
Providing writing prompts related to their reading can help them make connections
between reading and writing.
Visual Supports:
Using pictures and visual aids can help learners understand and remember new words
and concepts.
Picture books and illustrated stories are particularly effective at this stage.
